Page 10 - Mid Valley Times 10-1-20 E-edition

Thursday, October 1, 2020 | A10 | Mid Valley TiMes
Reedley fire crew assists on Creek Fire
Two members were on scene for 21 days manning OES Water Tender 52
MVT Staff Report
Two members of the Reedley Fire De- partment recently completed 21 days bat- tling the massive Creek Fire in the Sierra Nevada, concentrating on the area in and around Shaver Lake.
Marty Rodriguez and Frankie Franco were staffing the OES Water Tender 52, a 2,000-gallon tanker. They were providing support to engines involved with suppres- sion operations, according to RFD Chief Jerry Isaak.
Rodriguez and Franco left Reedley the morning of Sept. 5, just one day after the fire began. Isaak said the pair worked four consecutive days non-stop before being able to return to base camp for much-needed rest.
As of Sept. 29, the Creek Fire had burned 305,240 acres and was 44 percent contained. Early this week, the fire officially became the largest single fire in the state's recorded his- tory, according to Cal Fire officials.
New Reedley finance accountant
The city of Reedley wel- comed Amar Bains, its new accountant in the finance department, at the Sept. 22 City Council meeting. Bains began her new posi- tion on Sept. 1, and was chosen out of 48 applica- tions. Born in raised in India, she worked in the private sector for 10 years before working for the city of Fowler Finance Depart- ment this past summer. She is married and has three children.
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
This photo, taken by
an anonymous person and sent to Reedley Fire Chief Jerry isaak, showed the Creek
Fire when it recently burned structures on the west side of Shaver Village. Reedley Fire is assigned the OES Water Tender 52, and the tanker was staffed by Marty Rodriguez and Frankie Franco. The two were supporting fire engines involved with suppression operations in the area. The two men spent 21 days on the fire in and around Shaver Lake support- ing various firefighting operations with the 2,000-gallon tanker.
Photo Contributed
Entries for Reedley Fiesta Drive-Thru Parade being accepted through Oct. 2
MVT Staff Report
Entries to the Reedley Fiesta's first- ever drive-thru Fiesta Parade are be- ing accepted through Friday, Oct. 2.
Despite this year's COVID-19 pan- demic, the Reedley Fiesta will proceed with its 55th annual event on Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 8-10. All planned activities include all the needed physi- cal distancing and safety precautions.
The most notable change is the annual parade, which for this year is switching to a drive-thru event where the public travels the parade route along G Street in their vehicles, view- ing display entries, service clubs and honored citizens who will be properly
distanced in seating areas.
In addition to entries and service
clubs on display will be the parade stars — the grand marshal and home- coming King and Queen. Sister Lucy Cassarino, longtime principal of St. La Salle Catholic School, is this year's grand marshal.
The 2020 Fiesta King and Queen are Tino and Alma Alvarez. owners of sep- tic tank business in the city and long- time community members for more than 40 years.
This year's Fiesta theme is "There's No Place Like Home." To submit and entry, contact the Great- er Reedley Chamber of Commerce at (559) 638-3548.
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